Chrysler, with their newfound joint efforts at Fiat, is set to make additional changes to the lineup to appease the main-stream and enthusiast segments. The latest details to emerge from Chrysler are plans to introduce a 2015 Barracuda to first join the SRT line of vehicles ultimately replacing the current Dodge Challenger. The Barracuda will join the SRT Viper’s paved outlet for a more common-placed performance vehicle.

The Dodge Challenger, built on Chrysler’s LX platform (incl. Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum) is undeniably a big vehicle carrying around some serious heft to it. With the automotive market moving towards more efficient vehicles, the ideal decision would be to scale down these vehicles and that is where a new Barracuda would come into place to be the successor for the Challenger.

Speculative Rendering: Jon Sibal

With the strong and growing alliance of Chrysler and Fiat, the companies have a wider range of platforms to share. Yet Chrysler is still using platform setups derived from the Benz E-Class on their LX platform, the Fiat brand has been on the search for rear-drive offerings, from Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Maserati, which could easily be a choice replacement to ultimately underpin the new Barracuda.

The new Barracuda, set to initially be an SRT-branded vehicle, will be the first of a new generation of rear-wheel-drive Chrysler vehicles. Engine choices could start with force-fed 4-cylinders, maybe a direct-injection V6, and top out with the infamous 5.7 or 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engines. The 2015 Cuda is expected to lose over 6 inches of the Challenger’s wheelbase. Width is expected to be down about 2 inches while the vehicle will weigh in about 250 to 300 pounds less.

Having a smaller footprint and lighter weight, the new Cuda could be a candidate for export further expanding the Chrysler SRT brand’s reach.